Mail-box.



No. 823,585. PATENTED JUNE 19, 1996.

S. L. GOULTER. MAIL BOX.

APPLICATION FILED 1330.29. 1905.

UN-mp S ATES PATENT OFFICE.

I SAMUEL L. COULTER, or CALDWELL, omo.

MAIL-BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 19 1906.

1 Application filed. December 29, 1905. Serial No. 293,837- I To aZ Z whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL L. OoUL'rER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Caldwell, in the county of Noble and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Mail- Box, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to mail-boxes, and has for an object to simplify the construction and provide a mail-box embodying new and improved features of convenience, durability, simplicity, and efliciency.

A further object of the invention is to pro- 1 vide a mail-box of improved construction,

adapting it especially for use upon rural delivery routes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mail-box embodying improved means for opening and for excluding theweather.

A further object of the invention is to provide a'mail-box with a signal-target and improved means to retain the target upstandn A further object of the invention is to provide a mail-box having an improved form of alarm to notify the patron when the box is opened.

With these and other obj ects in view the present invented consists in the combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed VA out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes in the form, proportion, size, and minor details may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any ofthe advantages of this invention.

In the drawings, Figure '1 is a perspective view of the improved mail-box closed. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the mail-box open and shown in dotted lines closed.

Like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts inboth figures of the draw- 1ngs.f

In its preferred embodiment the improved mail-box forming the subject-matter of this application comprises a box-like receptacle 10, of-sheet material, of any approved size to accommodate the mail likely to be deposited therein. To one end of the receptacle is hinged a closure comprising side flanges 11, formed integral with the end flange 12 and tapered toward the hinge 13. A top 14 covers the flanges and slopes toward the hinge or is oblique to the bottom of the receptacle.

The cover has an integral ledge 13 which extends beyond the hinge 13 and protects it against the admission of moisture. This ledge also acts as a stop to support the closure when opened by bearing against the rear wall of the receptacle, as clearly shown in Fig.2. The flanges 11 and 12 embrace the receptacle to excluderain, snow, dirt, and thelike, and the end flange contacts with a lip 15 to limit its downward movement, and a springhasp 16 engages a staple or eye 17 to hold the closure closed.

, Within the receptacle is secured a coilspring 18, having a resilient arm 19 positioned to engage the under surface of the top and lift and open the closure when the hasp is released. Within the closure a bell 20 is secured tothe top by means of a flexible or resilient member 21, so that the motion of the closure in opening causes a vibration and consequent ringing of the bell. Upon the upper surface of the closure-top are secured the spaced cars 22, between which is pivoted the arm 23, carrying at its extremity any approved form of signal-target, as 24. Adjacent the front edge-of the closure a spring 25 is pivoted, as at 26, with its opposite end piv-' otally connected with the arm 23, as at 27, and proportioned to hold the arm and target in an upright position when required as a sigsults in excluding rain, snow, and the like,

while affording great convenience in opening and closingand having no parts to bind or to become annoyingly united by freezing.

From the foregoing description it is believed the use, operatlon, and advantages of the improved mail-box will be clearly understood and fully appreciated.

Having thus-described the invention, what is claimed is 1. ALmail-box comprising a receptacle, a v

closure hinged thereto, a lock therefor,

means for automatically raising the closure when unlocked and a resiliently-supported bell Within and movable With the closure, said bell adapted toabe vibrated and sounded by the movement of the closure.

2. A mail-box comprising a receptacle, a

said spring and bell adapted to be vibrated by the movement of the closure.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

closure hinged thereto, a lock therefor, means SAMUEL GOULTER for automatically raising the closure when Witnesses: unlocked, a bow-spring Within and carried by M. M. PARKS,

IO the closure, and a bell carried by said spring, H. T. COULTER. 

